How many times have we written… ‘these are crazy times’ over the last week?! Ahhh, but it’s true, right now everything feels weird and completely crazy.
It feels like life will never be the same as it was. Yes, this Coronavirus will come and it will go but we can not know what the flow-on impact will look like.
We know everyone is reacting in their own ways, maybe you went into full-on panic mode and bought a bazillion rolls of toilet paper, maybe you ignored the situation completely and then some of you (like us) are in the middle.
We bought a few extra long life coconut milks… but not because of Coronavirus, because they were on sale at woolies (haha and we always do this! Our MerryBody members even send us pics of the sales via Instagram, thank you we love you).
What we know for sure is that we’ve never ever felt this amount of anxiety over an extended period. We know we’re feeling this because of how many people this pandemic impacts across the world.
Our hearts break for all the people who are suffering, those who have lost their lives and for the people who have lost loved ones.
We feel anxious for the casual workers, the people who have lost their jobs, for the musicians, the event staff, hospitality workers, yoga/fitness/pilates teachers, casual school teachers. The small business owners who have no idea what business will be like next week, let alone in 2 months or a year. It’s scary and uncertain.
We’re also trying to stay home as much as possible, we’re doing this to help stop the spread of the virus and to flatten the curve. This advice has come from trusted experts (like Dr Lea Freeman who we interviewed here).
So yeh, all this is a recipe for a potential complete meltdown… and we don’t want this!
It’s time to do the things that welcome a sense of calm, it’s time to get out of our over-thinking minds, have breaks from reading article after article and (at least try) stop the constant anxious feels.
5 ways to keep sane during these crazy times AKA Coronavirus
Ahhh… Netflix… obviously.
We could have started with all the other more productive and ‘good for you’ ways but we’re gonna start right here. Because we know you will anyway (haha).
Shows we love at the moment: Outlander (and yes, of course, we are both in love with Jamie Fraser) and The Bold Type. Carla also loves Riverdale… Emma is watching A Handmaid’s Tale (you just learnt so much about us both in this sentence hah)
Watch Netflix with your friends! Yes, if you’re self-isolating you can actually do this, download the Chrome extension HERE.
If you start feeling guilty for binge-ing on shows, chuck a couple of documentaries in the mix. But also, you will get bored with Netflix, so here’s 4 more ways to keep sane during this crazy time.
Get cooking.
You know all those recipes you saved to your Pinterest board, took screenshots of or if you have a hundred post-its sticking out of your cookbooks… it’s time to get in the kitchen!
We know there might be issues getting some ingredients, depending on food hoarding and how often you get to the grocery store. Buuuuttt now is the perfect time to have fun in the kitchen. We have hundreds of recipes on our blog and Get Merry recipe app.
We’d recommend you start here with this Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart. Wow, it’s so good!
Get creative.
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” — Dieter F. Uchtdorf
But it’s also something we so often don’t give time to. The busyness of life gets in the way… work, kids, social life.
But right now you have forced extra time at home, even if you don’t see yourself as a creative person… just create something, anything!
Not only will it take your mind elsewhere for a while it will also help you move through the anxiety and fear of what is to come.
Paint, draw, write, make music, make movies, sing, cook… then share it with all your friends who are in self-isolation. Inspire them to create something.
Read and read and read.
Sit on the couch and get stuck into a juicy book. A book you don’t want to put down (yes, a book like Harry Potter).
Re-read your all-time favourite books, read the books you’ve been meaning to read, ask your friends what their all-time favourite books are. Highlight your favourite parts, share what you’re reading on social media.
Some of the books we love… The Surrender Experiment, Big Magic, Siddharthur, The Alchemist.
Move your body!
Get on your mat, do some Yoga… don’t like Yoga? Try Pilates.
If you’re used to exercising in a gym or a studio and you’re struggling to keep moving at home, it’s time to get your butt into action! We know a change in routine can be hard but we know that you know you’ll feel 100% better after you move your amazing body.
If you’re not the exercising type but it’s been on your goals list forever… NOW is the time! Start.
We know when we don’t move we feel off, both mentally and physically. We love Yoga and Pilates, we also have an online membership with hundreds of classes.
We believe that when you can do something you gotta do something. We want to gift MerryBody access to you until 1 April 2020… because it feels right during this crazy time.
You can sign up right HERE. You’ll gain instant access to MerryBody Online Studio.
If you’re not into Yoga, Pilates or anything fitness related… put your favourite music on and dance like a crazy person. Please record and share this video with us all.
Our last thoughts on staying sane through these weird, strange times… stay connected.
If you’re at home, check-in with your loved ones. Message them. Facetime them. Set up group calls. Stay connected. We are all in this together… we are stronger together.
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla
P.s if you ever need help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.
Feature image via Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Book image via Robert Anasch on Unsplash.